#403 Lora Chow: Trading Wall Street for a Steinway — Part One

Lora Chow didn’t abandon ambition—she just rewrote its score. 

In this episode, we trace her unusual arc from elite finance to classical composition. She opens up about choosing Yale over Cambridge, chasing Wall Street dreams, and what it really took to reclaim her voice—literally. This isn’t a story about dropping out or burning out. It’s about tuning into the parts of yourself that never stopped playing.

Key Highlights of Our Interview:

Choosing Yale Over Cambridge Wasn’t Just About Prestige

“My heart wanted music. But my mom majored in math—and Hong Kong wanted finance.”

Lora opens up about the early tension between cultural expectation and personal calling.

Fitting Into the Ivy League Mold—Until It Didn’t

“Everyone was applying to Morgan Stanley. I followed the crowd—and got the job.”

At Yale, ambition and conformity collided. She got the offer, but the itch for music never left.

A Grand Piano, a Grand Salary—But Something Felt Off

“I loved music. But I also wanted a home with a grand piano.”

Trading dreams for stability was logical—but it came with a cost.

Silence Sparked the Return to Sound

“I lost my voice for a year. That’s when I started composing.”

An unexpected health detour brought her back to the keyboard.

Bulgaria, Opera, and a Creative Awakening

“A summer program opened a door I hadn’t dared to knock on before.”

A trip abroad flipped the script—and planted the seed for Reveries on Ivories.

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Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Lora Chow (YouTube Channel)

 

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